Mazda Eunos 1.8 B2 Edition 1997
This is quite a rare one. Its a 1.8 Eunos B2 Ltd, one of just 1000 cars made in this trim and according to Mazda’s original sales brochure, B2 stood for ‘Bright and Blue’. All B2s were finished in Twilight Blue Mica with unique blue patterned seats, chrome door mirrors with matching highly polished 14” alloy wheels and a Momo leather-rimmed steering wheel. Electric windows, electric aerial and air conditioning were also fitted as standard.
I think this one is a bit special though: we originally imported this car direct from Japan back in 2016 selling it to its one and only UK owner. We went to the hassle of importing this one simply because it was rust-free and now some 10 years later, that remains the case. In fact its never even had any rust repairs or welding. The original spot welds are still visible on the rear wheel arch/sill lips and wings, wheel arches etc are all in excellent condition, quite rare for a MK1 these days.
First registered in 1997, its now covered around 200500km (about 125,000 miles) though as ever with these cars, mileage is almost irrelevant: its bad bodywork that will ruin an MX5 every time.
Its only covered around 12000 miles over the last 10 years with various services and parts replaced over the years. Most recent paperwork shows services at 200057km, 198309km and 196197km. A new battery has just been fitted along with recent new window regulators.
As mentioned bodywork is very good indeed, way better than most MX5s of this age. There are no dents or bodywork damage. Paintwork is good rather than award-winning: it would benefit from a good session with a professional detailer. Its all good though with no major scratches or damage and looks terrific. A few years ago, I fitted a new blue mohair soft for the owners. This is a Mk2 item complete with glass window and this is in good condition.
The original highly polished ‘hollow spoke’ alloys are in good condition but have some lacquer lifting and the odd kerb mark. To make perfect, it may be worth having them refurbished but thgey look perfectly ok. These are fitted with a set of matching Falken tyres, dating from 2022.
Underneath, its all in very clean and solid condition. All suspension components, arms and subframes are in exceptionally clean condition. The original shock absorbers and springs have been replaced with Mk2 items so while the car sits marginally lower than standard, ride quality and handling are excellent.
Inside, its all in smart and clean condition. All trim – dashboard, door trims, centre console etc are in good order. There is some wear to the driver’s seat bolster where a seam has come apart and been repaired (see photo). Carpets are in good condition and it has a set of carpet mats fitted. It also has a modern Sony stereo fitted complete with ‘aux in’ port so you can connect a phone etc. Everything works as it should including – unusually – the air conditioning which blows ice cold when required. The original rear cabin brace is in place along with a wind blocker.
Mechanically, its excellent. Its just been serviced again by me and I also replaced the cam belt along with the CAS ‘o’ ring seal. The engine sounds nice and is free from leaks. It performs strongly too while the clutch, gearbox and brakes are all just as they should be. It had new brake discs and pads not so long agao and I have just re-adjusted and cleaned the handbrake mechanism.
Its just lovely to drive too. These later 1.8 Mk1s were fitted with a lightened flywheel, improved ECU and had a touch more power than the earlier 1.8s and also just revved a bit more easily. They also have extra underbody chassis bracing and a Torsen limited slip dif with slightly shorter ratios. This one will sit happily at today’s motorway speeds but is even more fun on a good twisting country road.
In preparation for its sale, its just been comprehensively checked over. In fact whenever I prepare a car for sale, I use my own MX5-based checklist which covers 80+ points and ensures that even the detail stuff is checked and any issues spotted and attended to. This includes all sorts of things such as hood catches, drain holes, electric windows, door locks, condition of coolant hoses right down to the state of the cigarette lighter. It means the car is fit for purpose and should behave and drive just as a good MX5 should. Accordingly this one has just been serviced with new oil and filter, new NGK spark plugs and a new air filter. Its had a coolant change, door locks greased, drain holes cleared, handbrake adjusted etc. Its MOT tested until November 2026 but it will have 12 months MOT for the new buyer.
There is a file full of receipts showing work carried out over the years along with lots of old MOT certificates etc. There two keys and it has its original jack, space saver spare wheel and tool kit roll.
Price is £6500. I also have a matching Twilight Blue hard top available for an extra £500 which looks terrific on the car.
STATUS: Deposit now taken.
I think this one is a bit special though: we originally imported this car direct from Japan back in 2016 selling it to its one and only UK owner. We went to the hassle of importing this one simply because it was rust-free and now some 10 years later, that remains the case. In fact its never even had any rust repairs or welding. The original spot welds are still visible on the rear wheel arch/sill lips and wings, wheel arches etc are all in excellent condition, quite rare for a MK1 these days.
First registered in 1997, its now covered around 200500km (about 125,000 miles) though as ever with these cars, mileage is almost irrelevant: its bad bodywork that will ruin an MX5 every time.
Its only covered around 12000 miles over the last 10 years with various services and parts replaced over the years. Most recent paperwork shows services at 200057km, 198309km and 196197km. A new battery has just been fitted along with recent new window regulators.
As mentioned bodywork is very good indeed, way better than most MX5s of this age. There are no dents or bodywork damage. Paintwork is good rather than award-winning: it would benefit from a good session with a professional detailer. Its all good though with no major scratches or damage and looks terrific. A few years ago, I fitted a new blue mohair soft for the owners. This is a Mk2 item complete with glass window and this is in good condition.
The original highly polished ‘hollow spoke’ alloys are in good condition but have some lacquer lifting and the odd kerb mark. To make perfect, it may be worth having them refurbished but thgey look perfectly ok. These are fitted with a set of matching Falken tyres, dating from 2022.
Underneath, its all in very clean and solid condition. All suspension components, arms and subframes are in exceptionally clean condition. The original shock absorbers and springs have been replaced with Mk2 items so while the car sits marginally lower than standard, ride quality and handling are excellent.
Inside, its all in smart and clean condition. All trim – dashboard, door trims, centre console etc are in good order. There is some wear to the driver’s seat bolster where a seam has come apart and been repaired (see photo). Carpets are in good condition and it has a set of carpet mats fitted. It also has a modern Sony stereo fitted complete with ‘aux in’ port so you can connect a phone etc. Everything works as it should including – unusually – the air conditioning which blows ice cold when required. The original rear cabin brace is in place along with a wind blocker.
Mechanically, its excellent. Its just been serviced again by me and I also replaced the cam belt along with the CAS ‘o’ ring seal. The engine sounds nice and is free from leaks. It performs strongly too while the clutch, gearbox and brakes are all just as they should be. It had new brake discs and pads not so long agao and I have just re-adjusted and cleaned the handbrake mechanism.
Its just lovely to drive too. These later 1.8 Mk1s were fitted with a lightened flywheel, improved ECU and had a touch more power than the earlier 1.8s and also just revved a bit more easily. They also have extra underbody chassis bracing and a Torsen limited slip dif with slightly shorter ratios. This one will sit happily at today’s motorway speeds but is even more fun on a good twisting country road.
In preparation for its sale, its just been comprehensively checked over. In fact whenever I prepare a car for sale, I use my own MX5-based checklist which covers 80+ points and ensures that even the detail stuff is checked and any issues spotted and attended to. This includes all sorts of things such as hood catches, drain holes, electric windows, door locks, condition of coolant hoses right down to the state of the cigarette lighter. It means the car is fit for purpose and should behave and drive just as a good MX5 should. Accordingly this one has just been serviced with new oil and filter, new NGK spark plugs and a new air filter. Its had a coolant change, door locks greased, drain holes cleared, handbrake adjusted etc. Its MOT tested until November 2026 but it will have 12 months MOT for the new buyer.
There is a file full of receipts showing work carried out over the years along with lots of old MOT certificates etc. There two keys and it has its original jack, space saver spare wheel and tool kit roll.
Price is £6500. I also have a matching Twilight Blue hard top available for an extra £500 which looks terrific on the car.
STATUS: Deposit now taken.
